Tibet Overland Tour

Tibet is located in the south-west of China bordering India, Nepal, Myanmar (Burma) and Bhutan. Tibet is the highest region on Earth, with an average elevation of 5,000 m. It covers much of the Tibetan Plateau covering about 2.5 million km2. Tibet is under China’s occupation and known as Tibet Autonomous Region or TAR.

Tibet can be entered either overland or by flight. You can enter Tibet by driving overland from Kathmandu and drive to Lhasa crossing over the Kerung Nepal Tibet border or you can take the train from mainland China ing and go to Lhasa. This train service goes around the highest point on earth through the vast Tibetan plateau. By air, you can fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa where there’s a daily flight.

Tibet overland tour Kathmandu is the most popular tour which is the take the amazing overland journey starting from Kathmandu and all the way to the ancient city of Lhasa. En-route you will pass over several remote towns of Tibet with great Himalayan panorama, witnessing unique Buddhist culture and tradition, and driving past
the Tibetan plateau.

You can either fly or drive to Tibet from Kathmandu. There’s a daily flight in between Tibet’s capital Lhasa and Kathmandu. By overland, you need to cross the Kerung border from Kathmandu and drive to Lhasa passing along small towns like Gyantse, Sygatse etc. The overland journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa takes 5 days overland drive.

Nepal road condition is good and it’s a narrow road but a scenic drive through Nepalese countryside but closer to the Kerung Nepal Tibet border is little off-road. In Tibet, the road from Gyantse, Shigatse to Lhasas and Everest is asphalted. But some sections, especially the road to Yamdrok Lake and Mount Everest, are rather winding.

No, Kathmandu to Tibet by train isn’t available and the only option is the overland drive.

Yes, Tibet visa to enter Tibet or Tibet permit which is called Tibet Travel Permit is required on top of a Chinese visa. Both can be obtained in Kathmandu via a travel agent. A valid visa for China is not the same as a Tibet Travel Permit. Those with a Chinese tourist visa will still need to apply for a Tibet travel permit.

Unfortunately, you can’t and as per the Chinese government strict policy, one can’t get visas by themselves and travel individually.

It can take about a week and in urgent cases, it will take three days but you need to pay extra to process the permit urgently.

Yes, you will still need Tibet permit entering via China and we can process that. Just let us know your exact travel date a week before your tour departure and we shall process with the Tibet travel permit.

You need to send a copy of your passport details then we shall apply for the permit. You need to arrive Kathmandu at least 2 or 3 days before your travel date during when your original passport and passport photos are required to issue the Tibet travel permit from the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu.

It’s good to have travel insurance for Tibet since Tibet is located in the higher altitude with an average of 3,000 m to 4,000 meters. So, it’ safe to have medical insurance where altitude sickness can occur.

No, you must use an authorized travel company to take care of your visa and permit including arranging the entire tour.

The best time to visit Tibet is from May to October. It will be summer during this time when sunshine melts the snow and high passes are opened up. Visiting on spring will give you green vegetation and in spring beautiful wildflower carpet. June to August is the monsoon season so quite not a good time to travel.

Yes, and it will be a trained native Tibetan guide who shall lead your tour and take you to all the sightseeing places giving you all the interesting information.

There some good hotels in Tibet China from standard and tourist classes. You can find luxury hotels in the city of Lhasa too but outside Lhasa, it will be basic standard accommodations but with good rooms and better facilities.

Yes, there are choices of 5-star hotels in Tibet but at the Lhasa City only.

The currency used in Tibet is Chinese Remimbian Yuan. US$1 is equivalent to 6 to 8 Yuan which can differ slightly as per daily rates. Credit cards can also be used in many big stores, hotels or you can take out local currency through ATM located in cities and towns.

Tibet is located at a higher altitude so altitude sickness can occur; if not you can also feel a slight headache due to high altitude. By overland drive, you slowly drive from low to high altitude adapting with the altitude gained. If you are directly flying to Lhasa then you are suggested to rest at your hotel on your arrival day and start the tour the next day. Altitude sickness depends upon individuals so it’s not also confirmed that everyone will get it. Just drink enough water and rest.

Recommended vaccinations for travel to Tibet are hepatitis A and typhoid fever, as well as diarrhea. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended if you are traveling the southeastern part of the country, in conjunction with insect repellents and other measures to prevent mosquito bites.

You need to respect the culture and traditions while traveling in Buddhist countries like when you are making a ‘kora’- circulating a temple, please walk in a clockwise direction. Take off your shoes, sunglass or hat while entering a monastery. Some monasteries are forbidden to enter and ask for permission before taking a photo of
locals.